Member Article

Hooton businesses saddle up for charity challenge

A team from Bizspace’s Hooton Business Centre in Ellesmere Port have raised almost £700 for a cancer charity in a weekend of special events.

The centre, owned by national flexible business space provider, Bizspace, first organised a fundraising garden party and networking event in aid of Bloodwise, the UK’s specialist blood cancer charity.

Then a team of staff, customers and their families joined around 1,400 other cyclists in the Wirral Bikeathon, at Arrowe Country Park, to support the same cause.

One of the riders raising money to support the charity, which is close to her heart, was Michelle Cassidy, of MW Pensions, which has been based at Hooton Business Centre since 2003. Michelle joined the firm in January, which has recently been acquired by Sovereign, a Regulated Global Financial Services Group.

Encouraged by business centre administrator, Vicki Buckingham, Michelle and daughter Jasmine, 17, took part in the event in memory of Michelle’s sister, Annette McKinlay, who lost her battle with an aggressive form of lymphoma last year, aged 53.

“The Bikeathon was a fantastic event and there was a great energy to it,” Michelle said.

“I really enjoyed it, but I found it quite emotional in parts too, especially near the end when you could see the beautiful view of Hilbre Island, as that’s a place I’d visited with Annette. There were so many people out raising money and it was very overwhelming to know people were giving their time happily for such great causes.”

Also taking part was Mike Vesey, managing director of civil engineering firm Grantreel Construction, and his two daughters, Nicole aged nine, and six-year-old Leila.

“It was a fantastic event and the kids really enjoyed it too,” says Mike, whose family company moved into Hooton Business Centre in 2003.

“We were wanting to take part anyway and when Vicki sent out flyers we thought it would be nice to do it as part of a team. We’ll definitely take part again next year and we want to try the 28 mile course next time, as we only did the 14 miles this time round.”

Vicki, who organised the team and the garden party, said the centre planned to make to Bikeathon an annual event.

“It was a great way for people to get to know one another better, as well as to raise money for a brilliant charity,” she said.

“The course was very well designed to be challenging, yet still suitable for children, and we were lucky as the weather stayed nice, with just one small shower, but that was quite a welcome relief! We’ll be organising a team again next year even more people from the centre will take part.”

Bizspace’s sales and marketing director, Emma Long, adds: “Congratulations to Vicki and the team for a fantastic fundraising effort! This is a great example of one of our business centre communities working together to help make a real difference, and having fun at the same time.”

For more information see www.bizspace.co.uk.

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